Observance, rally in place of Memorial Day parade
A tricorn hat, “Don't Tread on Me” flags and signs calling for the impeachment of Gov. Tom Wolf filled Diamond Park on Monday afternoon in a blending of a Memorial Day observance and a rally to reopen Pennsylvania.
The grassroots event — which began when PennDOT declined to issue a road-closure permit for a Memorial Day parade — was brief, introducing a Korean War veteran and other speakers who gave brief remarks, leaving much of the memorializing to the official 11 a.m. ceremony.
But the 1 p.m. rally had an energy lacking in the morning's observance, with participants saying the remembrance of veterans — and the freedoms for which they fought — called for them to rally to open the state following mandated business closures and a stay-at-home order.
“(I'm here) 'cause I'm tired of the shutdown,” said Cory Waller, of Butler.
“The numbers don't add up,” he said.
One sign asked if the governor felt the “pain” of Pennsylvanians, something echoed by attendees.
“(We) just need to reopen Pennsylvania. That's why we're here,” Lois Spence, of Butler, said. “We have a small business, and we need to just open.”